Speakers

Catherine Saykaly-Stevens

Author, Web Series Writer and Content Creator, Owner of The Networking WebCatherine Saykaly-Stevens has worked for over 20 years in website design and development, internet marketing, and now social media. She began during a time when the male/female ratio was not as balanced as it is today. In the early 2000s Catherine lived in Los Angeles for 5 years working as a software and code trainer with American Media Training for Macromedia (now Adobe). She was awarded with the highest world-wide exam score in October 2003 for Macromedia’s Flash Design Certification.

Catherine returned to Canada where she began working with WSI. In 2008 she purchased Calgary Speed Dating. In 2013, after 5 years of successfully running the company, she sold it and wrote her first book “Speed Dating for Women 40+”. Since 2010, she has had a blast hosting all Geek Speed Dating events for both the Calgary and Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expos.

Currently Catherine is active on the Calgary Social Media Breakfast committee, and a member of the Writers Guild of Alberta, the Alexandra Centre Society, ARWA, and the Calgary Crime Writers. She is a past board member with the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Calgary chapter (now alumni) and a past ambassador with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

Catherine has spent the majority of the last year between 4 projects:

Writing 2 non-fiction books for release over the next 6 months:“Effective Social Media for Authors: 2015”, December 15, 2014“Seeking Singles Safely – A Woman’s Guide to Finding Love Online Without Falling Prey To Online Scams”, April 30, 2015

Writing mystery/thriller “The Fox Trap Encroachment” and writing and developing 2 transmedia web series for production in 2015 in partnership with AJPROC Media:“Snowfall”, ETA February 2015“Encroachment”, ETA June 2015

Catherine learned the art of networking living in Los Angeles while her EX co-hosted an MTV show. Studying every introduction from the leeches and wannabes to the connectors and A-Listers, the experience prepared her to network and build relationships years later with entrepreneurs in Calgary. Social media adds another level of difficulty, building relationships and engaging people, most of whom you’ve never met in person.

If you don’t enjoy your work; if you’re not inspiring people; if no one around you inspires you; change what you do.